‘I got you': The last words of a Tennessee father of four, who died to save his daughters go viral. Who was Fred Pepperman?

For his child, any father is nothing short of a superhero. Fred Pepperman proved to live up to that adage. In 2019, the 53-year-old father of four, became a local hero in Florida when he sacrificed his life to save his daughters when they were swept away by a rough tide. In July 2019, the Peppermans were on vacation at the beach in Seacrest, Florida, when one of his daughters, Grace, then 16, was caught in a riptide. His wife, Julie Pepperman, informed the television station that two of his other daughters, Olivia, 20, and Kathryn, 24, went out to get her but were also caught in the riptide.

Using all his strength, Fred swam out to save the girls, brought them to the surface, and onto a board another family member had carried out to help. A group of onlookers had to bring Fred back to shore after he passed out, and they performed CPR on him while his daughters managed to reach safety. The site stated that after being taken to a nearby hospital, he was subsequently pronounced dead.

A Father’s Last Words

Fred’s sister-in-law, Colette James, told WTSP that his last words were "I got you.”


The family eventually started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Fred’s daughter’s education. “He was a family man and always made those around him feel welcomed and loved,” the donation page reads. “He lived for those around him and dedicated his life to being the most devoted spouse and father possible.”


Fred’s story recently went viral on X when a user shared his moving story on the microblogging platform. The post gained over 22K likes. Responding to the post, one X user wrote that the only duty of a father is to protect his children from harm. “That is our only job as fathers—to take care of our children. He did his job, and it sounds like the most peaceful passing. Knowing that you saved your babies. Rest in peace, sir. "I don't know you, but you have my utmost respect,” read one comment.

Another remark read: “What makes a man a man is his willingness to sacrifice himself for those he has taken responsibility for…”

According to a New York Post, Fred was from Tennessee.